Policy Associate

Reports to: Government Affairs Director
Location: Washington, DC area
Salary Range: $69k – $75k

Government Affairs Department Overview

The Government Affairs team is fundamentally changing the way people come together to win durable legislative and executive policy reforms that advance our mission to close prison doors and open up doors of opportunity to the green economy. Our role in advancing our mission requires us to establish a strong presence in Washington, D.C. (and the national political space generally) to shape the policy conversation on our key issues. We seek to advance bipartisan, federal, and state legislative and executive solutions to criminal justice reform and building an inclusive green economy. We build the leadership and capacities of Dream members to advance reform through a robust policy and advocacy training program to increase their advocacy skills.

Position Summary

Are you interested in building relationships with elected officials and strategic partners and finding common ground solutions to problems we face in our communities? Do you want to be a part of a fast-paced team that plans exciting events that bring people together from across the political divide to address issues related to poverty, prisons, pollution, and polarization? If so, let’s talk about the exciting opportunity to be a part of the Government Affairs team at Dream.Org.

The Policy Associate is integral in providing support to our Government Affairs team in legislative and policy research projects, as well as building relationships with stakeholders to advance legislative advocacy campaigns.

The Policy Associate provides federal-and-state-level tracking and analysis, meeting and project coordination, and outreach to stakeholders, elected officials, and agency staff. You will provide logistical support and ensure the smooth functioning of the department, including maintaining processes, systems, communications, and other support as needed. The Associate should possess a high work standard, the ability to learn quickly, and be adept at setting priorities and anticipating needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitoring, tracking, researching, and reporting on legislative issues and actions for state and federal government affairs initiatives through Quorum, including hearings, floor debates, and bills.
• Running reports, updating spreadsheets, and maintaining precise records.
• Assisting in meeting management, including developing and preparing materials, sending invitations, coordinating logistics, and other associated tasks for events such as conference calls, webinars, and fly-ins.
• Representing Dream.Org at coalition meetings and events.
• Meeting with legislative and administration officials and advocating for our policy priorities.
• Assisting staff with special projects, including but not limited to lobby day activities.

Attributes

• Visionary thinking with the ability to translate strategic objectives into a legislative advocacy campaign.
• Works well with unlike allies and coalition members.
• A go-getter.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Clear and effective communication with internal teams and external stakeholders, including elected officials and their staffs.
• Collaborative leadership with a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated interest in criminal justice reform and/or climate and clean energy policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Prior experience working in a nonprofit advocacy organization, trade association, Congress, or federal agency required, or high-level internships in such an office.
• General understanding of the workings of Congress, as well as government departments and agencies.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced and often changing environment.
• Superb writing skills and the ability to compile all necessary information for decision-making, reporting, and presentations.
• Personal qualities including energy, intelligence, diplomacy, sound practical judgment, the ability to work independently with limited supervision, strong organization skills, and comfort communicating our positions to advocates and legislators.

Employee Benefits

This full-time salaried position will work from the Washington D.C. office at least three days per week, with work from home (D.C. area) permitted the rest of the week. Reliable access to an internet connection and willingness to spend significant time working from a computer will be necessary to perform this job. Occasional travel may also be required, including for an annual in-person staff retreat.

All full-time employees receive Medical, Dental & Vision coverage. Dream.Org pays 100% of premiums for employees, spouses, and dependents. Part-time employees receive 50% coverage. After a 6-month waiting period, employees can contribute to our retirement plan. Currently, Dream.Org offers up to a 5% match. We also offer a flexible spending, pre-tax program for medical expenses, dependent care expenses, transit expenses, and parking expenses. All full-time Dream.Org employees accrue 4 weeks of vacation time off and 12 days of sick time off over the first year of employment. Part-time employees accrue time off on a prorated basis. In addition to 10 paid holidays, Dream.Org also provides paid time off from December 24th through January 1st each year.

Dream.Org is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, sex, gender identity, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strive for a workforce that reflects the populations that we serve. Additionally, upon job offer, each candidate is required to provide evidence of their eligibility to work in the United States.

Learn more here